Modular screen with magnetic joints

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment, a gaming screen comprising a first panel having a first edge, a first magnet rotatably mounted at the first edge, a second panel having a second edge, and a second magnet rotatably mounted at the second edge. The first and second magnets are arranged to attract to each other and form a hinge between the first panel and the second panel. The panel may be folded into a compact state for carrying or storage.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to screens and, more particularly, modulargaming screens with magnetic joints.

BACKGROUND

Tabletop screens are often used when playing various board or tablegames such as Dungeons and Dragons®. For example, a person playing thegame may place a screen in front of them so that other players at thetable cannot see information or objects behind the screen. In certainrole-playing games, this is a requirement so that a game master canperform actions or make determinations about game rules behind thescreen so that other players do not gain an advantage in the game. Incertain board games, one or all players may use a screen so that theother players cannot see information or objects behind the screen.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a gaming screen comprising a first panel having afirst edge, a first magnet rotatably mounted at the first edge, a secondpanel having a second edge, and a second magnet rotatably mounted at thesecond edge. The first and second magnets are arranged to attract toeach other and form a hinge between the first panel and the secondpanel.

One or more of the following features may be included:

The first magnet may have a cylindrical body and may be mounted so thatits central axis is substantially parallel to the first edge.

The first magnet may be mounted so that it is free to rotate about itscentral axis.

The first magnet may have a mounting hole through a central axis of thecylindrical body.

The first panel may include a mounting spindle and the first magnet maybe mounted so that the mounting spindle passes through the mountinghole.

The magnet(s) may be bisected so that a first half of the first magnetichas a magnetic north polarity and a second half of the first magnet hasa magnetic south polarity, such that the first and second halves of thefirst magnet are lengthwise halves of the first magnet.

The first panel may include an opposite edge and an opposite magnetrotatably mounted at the opposite edge.

The first panel, the second panel, or both may comprise a substantiallyflat rectangular body.

The first panel may comprise a plurality of magnets rotatably mountedalong the first edge.

The hinge may allow about a 360-degree swing between the first andsecond panels.

In another embodiment, a screen comprises a plurality of panels. Eachpanel comprises: a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge,and at least one rotatably mounted magnet positioned at the first edgeand/or the second edge. The at least one rotatably mounted magnet of afirst panel of the plurality of panels attracts the at least onerotatably mounted magnet of a second panel of the plurality of panels toform a hinge between the one panel and the second panel.

One or more of the following features may be included:

The hinge may allow the first panel to swing about 360-degrees withrespect to the second panel.

The rotatably mounted magnets may comprise cylindrical bodies.

A first lengthwise half of each cylindrical body may comprise magneticnorth and a second lengthwise half of each cylindrical body may comprisemagnetic south. In another embodiment,

In another embodiment, a modular panel for a screen comprises a firstedge and one or more magnets rotatably mounted at the first edge. Themagnets are mounted to rotate about an axis through a center of themagnets. The one or more cylindrical magnets may comprise a body, amagnetic north half, and a magnetic south half. The magnetic north halfand the magnetic south half are defined by a plane through the axis ofthe body.

One or more of the following features may be included:

A mounting hole may be positioned through the axis of the body.

The body may be a cylindrical body.

A second edge, a third edge, a fourth edge; and one or more magnetsrotatably mounted on the second, third, and/or fourth edge may beincluded.

In another embodiment, a screen comprises a plurality of panels andmeans for coupling the panels together to form hinges between thepanels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features may be more fully understood from the followingdescription of the drawings. The drawings aid in explaining andunderstanding the disclosed technology. Since it is often impractical orimpossible to illustrate and describe every possible embodiment, theprovided figures depict one or more exemplary embodiments. Also, thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Accordingly, the figuresare not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Like numbers inthe figures denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a screen.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a rotatable, cylindrical magnet.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a panel of a screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a screen comprising two panels.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a panel of a screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a screen with magnets on one edge.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen with magnets on two edges.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a screen with magnets on three edges.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a screen comprising two panels.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a screen comprising two panels and an adaptor.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a screen comprising two panels, where one panelhas fixed magnets.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 12B are diagrams of a screen in a folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an elevated view of a screen 100 comprising a plurality ofpanels 102, 104, 106. In embodiments, screen 100 may be a tabletopscreen that can be used, for example, while playing tabletop orrole-playing games. In some instances, one or more game players mayplace screen 100 in front of their play area so that other playerscannot see objects 108 or information that is behind the screen.

Screen 100 may be modular so, although shown with three panels, screen100 may have two panels, three panels, four panels, or more. Inembodiments, the panels are connected by hinged joints so they can swingabout the joint and form angles (e.g. angle 110). Since panels 102, 104,and 106 are substantially flat, the angles formed between the panels mayallow screen 110 to stand up on a flat surface such as a table. Panels102, 104, and 106 may be formed from wood, plastic, metal, or acombination of materials. In embodiments, panels 102, 104, and 106 maybe opaque or translucent to prevent someone from seeing through screen100.

Each panel 102, 104, 106 may have one or more magnets (e.g. magnet) 112along one or more edges. As shown, panel 102 has two magnets 112 and 114along its right edge, panel 106 has two magnets 116 and 118 along itsleft edge, and panel 104 includes four magnets: two magnets 120 and 122on its left edge and two magnets 124 and 126 on its right edge. Inembodiments, magnets 112-126 may be rare earth magnets, ferrite magnets,alnico magnets, plastic magnets, ceramic magnets or the like. In otherembodiments, at least one of magnets 112-126 may be replaced withmagnetic material (i.e. a material that is attracted to a magnet), suchas steel or nickel, magnetic plastic, magnetic ceramic, etc. In otherembodiments, any or all of magnets 112-126 may be an electromagnetpowered by an electrical power source (not shown).

In embodiments, panels 102, 104, and 106 are held together to formscreen 100 by the magnetic attraction force of magnets 112-126. In FIG.1, magnets 112 and 120 are attracted and magnets 114 and 122 areattracted, thus holding panels 102 and 104 together and forming a jointbetween them. Similarly, magnets 116 and 124 are attracted and magnets126 and 118 are attracted, thus holding panes 104 and 106 together andforming a joint between them.

Additionally, the top edge of panels 102, 104, 106 may comprise slots tohold cards that are used during game play. Additionally, oralternatively, a card holder or other game element may be placed on thetop edge of panel 102, 104, and/or 106 so that cards can be displayed tothe person behind screen 100 or to other players of the game.

FIG. 2 is an elevated view of a magnet 200, which may be the same as orsimilar to one or more of magnets 112-126. Magnet 200 may have acylindrical body 202 with base 204 and a center hole 206 that allowsmagnet 200 to be mounted on spindle 208. In this arrangement, magnet 200can rotate about spindle 208 in the directions shown by arrow 210.

In embodiments, the magnetic poles of magnet 200 are located on oppositesides of body 202 and not on the cylinder' s base. For example, onelongitudinal side 212 of magnet 200 may be the north pole and theopposite side 214 may be the south pole. Dotted line 216 demarks themagnetic north side of magnet 200 from the magnetic south side. In otherwords, if dotted line 216 defines a plane that runs substantiallythrough the center axis of cylindrical body 202, the north pole ofmagnet 200 may be on one side of the plane and the south pole of magnet200 may be on the opposite side of the plane.

Although not shown, spindle 208 may include stops to restrict themovement of magnet 200 along spindle 208 in the directions shown byarrow 216. The stops may be a bulge, washer, or flange that is widerthan the circumference of center hole 206.

FIG. 3 is a simplified side view of a panel 300, which may be the sameas or similar to panel 102 or 106. Panel 300 includes two magnets 302and 304 (which may be the same as or similar to one or more of magnets112-126) positioned along one edge 306. As described above, magnets 302and 304 may have cylindrical bodies that are magnetically bisected,having a north pole on one side of the body and a south pole on theopposite side of the body (see FIG. 2).

In embodiments, panel 300 may have a single magnet, two magnets, or morethan two magnets positioned along edge 306. Additionally, oralternatively, panel 300 may have a single magnet or a plurality ofmagnets positioned along any edge 306, 308, 310, or 312.

Panel 300 may include one or more cutouts 314 and 316 within whichmagnets 302 and 304, respectively, are positioned. Spindles 318 and 320may also be positioned within the cutouts to mount magnets 302 and 304and allow them to rotate about the spindles. As shown, spindles 318 and320 may be substantially parallel to edge 306 so that the axes ofcylindrical magnets 302 and 304 are also substantially parallel to edge306. Because magnets 302 and 304 can rotate about the mouthing spindles,either the north or south pole of magnets 302 and 304 (or a sectionbetween the north and south pole) can point out and away from panel 300.For example, as illustrated in the figure, the north side of magnet 302is pointed away from panel 300 and the south side of magnet 304 ispointed away from panel 300.

As noted above, spindles 318 and 320 may have stops to prevent or limitthe motion of magnets 302 and 304 along the length of the spindles. Inother embodiments, the edges of the cutouts 314 and 316 may act asstops. For example, edges 322 and 324 may prevent magnet 302 fromtraveling up or down along spindle 318. In addition, spacers may beadded to spindle 318, mounted between magnet 302 and edges 318 and 324,to prevent movement along spindle 318. Alternatively, the space betweenmagnet 302 and edges 322 and 324 may be reduced by providing cutout 314with a width only slightly greater than the height of cylindrical magnet302.

FIG. 4 illustrates two panels 402 and 404, which may be the same as orsimilar to panels 102, 104, and/or 106. Panel 402 includes two magnets406 and 408 alone one edge and panel 404 includes two magnets 410 and412 along one edge. Magnets 406-412 may be the same as or similar to anyor all magnets 112-126.

As described above, magnets 406-412 may be cylindrical magnets mountedon spindles so they can rotate. As panels 402 and 404 approach eachother, magnets 406-412 may rotate about their spindles so that theiropposite poles attract and hold panels 402 and 404 together, forming amagnetic joint between the two panels. For example, as shown in FIG. 4,magnets 406 and 410 have rotated so that the south pole of magnet 406 isfacing and attracting the north pole of magnet 410. Similarly, magnets408 and 412 have rotated so that the north pole of magnet 408 is facingand attracting the south pole of magnet 412. In embodiments, magnets406-412 may be loosely mounted so that, as panels 402 and 404 movetogether, magnets 406-412 can automatically rotate to attract the magneton the opposite panel.

Because magnets 406-412 are cylindrical and/or because magnets 406-412are rotatable, the joint formed between panels 402 and 404 may act as ahinge that allows panels 402 and 404 to swing with respect to each otherand form an angle. In other embodiments, magnets 406-412 may berectangular, oval, or any other shape. In such embodiments, the magnetsmay still form a swinging hinge because they are rotatably mounted.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a panel 500 (e.g. a view looking down in thedirection of arrow 414 in FIG. 4) having a rotatable, cylindrical magnet502. Panel 500 may be the same as or similar to panels 102, 104, and106. In embodiments, edge 504 of panel 500 may be rounded. However, inother embodiments, edge 504 may be squared, squared with roundedcorners, tapered, or any other suitable shape.

In embodiments, magnet 502 may have a diameter larger than the diameter(or width 506) of panel 500. As a result, when magnet 502 attracts toand contacts another magnet on another panel, magnet 502 and the othermagnet act as the contact point between the panels.

FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 illustrate various embodiments of panelshaving various and different magnet configurations. Panel 600 in FIG. 6has two magnets 602 and 604 along one edge 606. Thus, edge 606 can forma magnetic joint with another panel.

Panel 700 in FIG. 7 has four magnets. Two magnets 702 and 704 arepositioned on right edge 705 and two magnets 706 and 708 are positionedon the opposite, right edge 709. Thus, edges 705 and 709 can formmagnetic joints with other panels.

Panel 800 in FIG. 8 includes eight magnets 802-816. Two magnets arepositioned on each edge 818, 820, 822, and 824. Thus, any edge 818, 820,822, and 824 can form magnetic joints with another panel. Also, panel800 can be rotated ninety degrees so that edge 818 is on the left (orright) and edge 822 is on the right (or left). Thus, panel 800 can formpart of a screen (e.g. screen 100 in FIG. 1) with left and right edges820 and 824, and/or with top and bottom edges 818 and 822.

Panels 600, 700, and 800 illustrate examples of various embodiments.However, many other embodiments fall within the scope of thisdisclosure. For example, a panel may include zero, one, two, or moremagnets on an edge. Also, the magnets may be of various shapes, sizes,and heights. In various embodiments, multiple magnets may be used ormagnets with various lengths may be used so that the entire edgesubstantially comprises magnets (or a single magnet) and very little orno panel material is presented to another panel. Additionally, oralternatively, panels may include magnets that can be re-positioned atdifferent locations along an edge by a user.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a screen 900 comprising two panels 902 and 904,which may be the same as or similar to panels 102-106. In this example,each panel 902 and 904 includes two magnets on each edge. Accordingly,panel 902 is positioned in a landscape or horizontal position so thatits shorter edge 906 is presented to panel 904, and panel 904 ispositioned in a portrait or vertical position so that its longer edge908 is presented to panel 902. In this example, magnets 910 and 914 arepositioned at the same hight and magnets 912 and 916 are positioned atthe same height so that the magnets line up with each other as panels902 and 904 come together to form screen 900. In embodiments, thelocation of magnets 910-916 may be pre-set at the time of manufacturing.Additionally, or alternatively, the position of magnets 910-916 may beadjusted by a user during or prior to so that the magnets line up.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a screen 1000 comprising two panels 1002 and1004, which may be the same as or similar to panels 102-106. In thisexample, magnets 1006 and 1008 of panel 1002 do not line up with magnets1010 and 1012 of panel 1004. Thus, screen 1000 may include an adapter1014 that creates a joint between panels 1002 and 1004. Adapter 1014 maybe an elongate member such as a rod or pole that can be placed betweenpanels 1002 and 1004. In embodiments, adapter 1014 is a magnetic metalsuch as iron, steel, cobalt, magnetic ceramic material, etc. Adapter1014 may also be a hollow structure filled with magnetic material suchas a magnetic dust or granules. The hollow structure may be plastic,wood, metal, or any material that can form a hollow structure. Also,adapter 1014 may be a composite material, such as a plastic material orwood material that is either filled with or mixed with magnetic materialsuch as magnetic dust or granules. Adapter 1014 can be a hard magnet(i.e. a permanent magnet) or a soft magnet (i.e. a magnet that becomesmagnetic in the presence of a magnetic field).

Adapter 1014 may be placed between panels 1002 and 1004 so that magnets1006, 1008, 1010, and 1012 attract to adapter 1014 to form a jointbetween panels 1002 and 1004.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a screen 1100 with two panels 1102 and 1104,which may be the same as or similar to panels 102-106. Magnets 1106 and1108 of panel 1102 may be rotatable magnets, as described above. (SeeFIG. 2). However, magnets 1110 and 1112 of panel 1104 may be fixedmagnets that do not rotate. In this example, magnet 1110 is positionedso that its north pole is facing panel 1102 and magnet 1112 ispositioned so that its south pole is facing panel 1102.

In this example, even though magnets 1110 and 1112 are fixed, magnets1106 and 1108 can rotate as panels 1102 and 1104 approach each other. Asa result, magnet 1106 may rotate so its south pole faces magnet 1110 andmagnet 1108 may rotate so its north pole faces 1112 so that the magnetsattract and form a joint between panels 1102 and 1104. One skilled inthe art will recognize that, although magnets 1106 and 1108 are shown ashaving their south and north poles (respectively) facing panel 1104,this is because magnets 1110 and 1112 are shown as having their northand south poles (respectively) facing panel 1102. In embodiments,depending on the position of magnets 1110 and 1112, magnets 1106 and1108 may rotate to whatever position forms the greatest attractionbetween them and magnets 1110 and 1112.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 12B are top-view diagrams of a screen 1200 in a foldedstate. Screen 1200 may be the same as or similar to screen 100. Asshown, screen 1200 comprises panel 1202, panel 1204, and panel 1206coupled together to form the screen. Panel 1202 comprises one or moremagnets 1208, panel 1204 comprises one or more magnets 1210 and 1212,and panel 1206 comprises one or more magnets 1214. In embodiments, panel1202 may have a magnet at edge 1216 (or other edges) and panel 1206 mayhave a magnet at edge 1218 (or other edges).

The magnetic joint between magnets 1208 and 1210 and the magnetic jointbetween magnets 1212 and 1214 may act as hinges so that screen 1200 canbe folded (e.g. as shown in FIG. 12) to a compact form (e.g. as shown inFIG. 12B) for ease of carrying or storage. In embodiments, the magneticjoint may allow the panels to rotate about 360 degrees with respect toeach other, as indicated by arrows 1220 and 1222.

In embodiments, screen 1200 may have two, three, or four, or more panelsthat can fold into a compact form. In such embodiments, the additionalmagnets may attract and adhere to one another while the screen 1200 isin the folded state. For example, a magnet positioned on end 1218 mayattract to magnet 1210 and hold panel 1206 against panel 1204 in thefolded state. In embodiments with more than three panels, the magnets ateach panel's edge may rotate so that the panels attract and are heldagainst each other in the folded state.

Having described preferred embodiments, which serve to illustratevarious concepts, structures and techniques, which are the subject ofthis patent, it will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art that other embodiments incorporating these concepts, structuresand techniques may be used. Accordingly, it is submitted that that scopeof the patent should not be limited to the described embodiments butrather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the followingclaims. All references cited herein are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

1. A gaming screen comprising: a first panel having: a first edge; and afirst magnet rotatably mounted at the first edge; a second panel having:a second edge; and a second magnet rotatably mounted at the second edge;wherein the first and second magnets are arranged to attract to eachother and form a hinge between the first panel and the second panel. 2.The gaming screen of claim 1 wherein: the first magnet has a cylindricalbody and is mounted so that its central axis is substantially parallelto the first edge.
 3. The gaming screen of claim 2 wherein the firstmagnet is mounted so that it is free to rotate about its central axis.4. The gaming screen of claim 2 wherein the first magnet has a mountinghole through a central axis of the cylindrical body.
 5. The gamingscreen of claim 4 wherein the first panel comprises a mounting spindleand the first magnet is mounted so that the mounting spindle passesthrough the mounting hole.
 6. The gaming screen of claim 2 wherein: afirst half of the first magnetic has a magnetic north polarity and asecond half of the first magnet has a magnetic south polarity, whereinthe first and second halves of the first magnet are lengthwise halves ofthe first magnet.
 7. The gaming screen of claim 1 wherein the firstpanel comprises: an opposite edge, opposite to the first edge; and anopposite magnet rotatably mounted at the opposite edge.
 9. The gamingscreen of claim 1 wherein the first panel, the second panel, or bothcomprise a substantially flat rectangular body.
 10. The gaming screen ofclaim 1 wherein the first panel comprises a plurality of magnetsrotatably mounted along the first edge.
 11. The gaming screen of claim 1wherein the hinge allows about a 360-degree swing between the first andsecond panels.
 12. A screen comprising: a plurality of panels, eachpanel comprising: a first edge; a second edge opposite the first edge;at least one rotatably mounted magnet positioned at the first edgeand/or the second edge; wherein the at least one rotatably mountedmagnet of a first panel of the plurality of panels attracts the at leastone rotatably mounted magnet of a second panel of the plurality ofpanels to form a hinge between the one panel and the second panel. 13.The screen of claim 12 wherein the hinge allows the first panel to swingabout 360-degrees with respect to the second panel.
 14. The screen ofclaim 12 wherein the rotatably mounted magnets comprise cylindricalbodies.
 15. The screen of claim 14 wherein a first lengthwise half ofeach cylindrical body comprises magnetic north and a second lengthwisehalf of each cylindrical body comprises magnetic south.
 16. A modularpanel for a screen comprises: a first edge; and one or more magnetsmounted at the first edge to rotate about an axis through the one ormore magnets, the one or more magnets comprising: a body; a magneticnorth half; a magnetic south half; wherein the magnetic north half andthe magnetic south half are defined by a plane through the axis of thebody;
 17. The modular panel of claim 16 further comprising a mountinghole positioned through the axis of the cylindrical body.
 18. Themodular panel of claim 16 wherein the body is a cylindrical body. 19.The modular panel of claim 16 further comprising: a second edge; a thirdedge; a fourth edge; and one or more magnets rotatably mounted on thesecond, third, and/or fourth edge.
 20. A screen comprising: a pluralityof panels; and means for coupling the panels together to form hingesbetween the panels.